Ipl Cricket

[DTCwordfan]

What are the black shields on their left arms that the umpires are wearing? Surely not for fending off straight-driven cricket-balls?

[JJ109]

Yes - or balls thrown at the stumps that go astray when attempting runouts. Bruce Oxenford (umpire) carried a clear one (not black) in test matches, so it is not just the IPL where this happens.

However as the IPL is more frenetic (20/20) it does make sense for standing umpires to be able to knock a ball away when fired straight at them.

[Buenchico]

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/cricket/article-3658536/WHAT-arm-Umpire-Sri-Lanka-England-One-Day-International-wears-unusual-forearm-shield.html

[DTCwordfan]

thanks - they could clock the bowlers if they no-ball and make it more interesting......